More than a half-century has passed since George Orwell wrote his prescient dystopia novel 1984 in which he foresaw societies around the world coalescing into despotism. He predicted it might occur as early as 1984; he missed it by a few years.

We now see Orwell’s foresight playing itself out in 2018 America as mobs wearing ignorance and victimhood like badges of honor launch crusades to destroy the history of their country. They howl like coyotes as they rip down monuments, assault those who resist it, and then move on to the next target. The madness started with a statue of Robert E. Lee and has since moved on to include Christopher Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington. . .

Cities throughout the U.S. are renaming historic streets, parks and buildings as not to “offend” the aggrieved and self-righteous. Published books deemed offensive are being edited, banned, or destroyed. Author and speakers censor themselves to go along with the new orthodoxy, driving America down to 36th in the world when it comes to freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

“Every record has been destroyed or falsified,” Orwell wrote, “every book rewritten, every picture repainted, every statue and street building renamed, every date altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has been stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”

I conclude with an observation generated during the Nazification of Germany: Those who begin by burning books end by burning men.

Charles W. Sasser is the author of more than 60 books, many of them histories, but also including action-adventure fiction, SciFi, politics, etc. Most are still available on Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com.

You are so right, Chuck. I love history, and am especially intrigued by the Civil War. I have visited several battlefields, including the amazing Gettysburg. I pray that this ridiculous trend does not tear into those beautifully preserved reminders of the cost paid to uphold the freedom of every man, woman and child. The impressive monuments standing in those hills, pastures, and valleys tell poignant stories. They are reminders of the price paid because of a nation divided.
Every time I see one of the beautiful statues pulled down, I cringe. I think about those who declare the Holocaust never happened. People like us, the ones who learned history in school, are among the last to care. My grandkids did not have that privilege. They’ve quit teaching it.
Thank you, Chuck. I appreciate you. Hope all is going well.

Morning, Bonnie. Thank you so much, and you are so right. Unfortunately, the trend against the First Amendment and history is picking up speed, and wht we’re seeing is the takeover of American institutions from within–which is how Marcuese predicted socialism would arrive. God bless. chuck sasser

I turned 75 yesterday, Chuck—I have been thinking of what our nation will be like if I live another quarter century. I hope there will be enough true Americans willing to stop our country’s slide into the sewer of socialism that seems to be growing currently. Dylan Thomas argued, “Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Do not go gentle into that good night.” I plan to fight for my country while there is still breath in my body. Hopefully sensible folks will prevail and my final resting place will not have to be beneath a pile of hot brass. Keep writing, Amigo. Your words have great power and your nation needs you in the fight.

Morning, Jim. Always good to hear from you. And thank you so much for your encouragement. There are fewer and fewer of us who buck this strange annihilistic culture to speak truth anymore. Let us not stop, for truth is a valuable thing, and ever more valuable as it becomes rare. chuck sasser

I think of 1984 and the movie about burning books. In it people had to take a happy pill and homes were monitored. If anyone looked unhappy, their house was raided for books. The offender was arrested and the books destroyed. Today’s occurrences are indeed frightening. People are so busy watching reality tv and not going to church. Very disturbing.